Gary Fretz, CPYB (Certified Professional Yacht Broker…only a few hundred brokers in the world have passed the test to become Certified) has been in the yacht brokerage and yacht sales business for over 19 years and has supervised over 1,300 yacht sales. So, in his words, he is “just getting the hang of it.”
Hailing from New Orleans where he bought his first boat for a dollar, Gary has owned over 35 boats over the years and has performed many refits. So, he has learned the hard way about refits and will pass on some advice about this to any listener. He has been called a “Boataholic” and readily admits that he is stricken with this malady. His other interests and experience encompass the following:
- 2001 2.4 Meter (Mini-Twelve Meter) Class U.S. National Champion
- Olympic Trials Finalist (1980 Stars). Was asked to represent the U.S. in the 1980 Olympics but the U.S. backed out in protest of the Soviets starting the Afganistan war. Winner of many Regional and State Championships (Sunfish, Etchells, J24, Stars, Shields, Cape Cod Mercury, Fish Class), logged 11,000 miles of offshore handicap racing).
- Cruised to every major Eastern Caribbean island, some Mediterranean and UK areas. Cruised the U.S. East Coast from New England down to Florida and over to Louisiana twice. Cruised the Bahamas many times. Explored the jungles and coast of South America and Costa Rica.
- From Gary's Captain's Log: … hit by lightning in a yacht three times. Have been dismasted three times. Have run aground in racing situations over 66 times.
- Educated at Tulane University (“Harvard of the South” in New Orleans…undergraduate and MBA program)
- Pilot Single-Engine Land Aircraft license with aerobatic and jet training. Amphibious ultralight training.
- Attended FBI's Southeast Regional Tactical Weapons Training Facility.
- U.S. Coast Guard 50 ton License
- Worked on London's Baltic Exchange chartering ships.
- Taught at ASA Sailing Schools in Chicago and Miami (Beginning and Intermediate Coastal Cruising) and at local Yacht Clubs.
- Founded Moorings Yacht Sales and managed it for 10 years.
- Favorite anchorage in the world: Hawksnest Bay, St. John, USVI off the Caneel Resort beach.
- Favorite snorkeling hole in the world: Sandy Cay National Park, Abaco, Bahamas
- Favorite bar: Hopetown Harbour Lodge poolside/beachfront bar, Abaco, Bahamas
- Member of Southern Yacht Club (New Orleans, since 1970), Member of Lauderdale Yacht Club, member of Palm Beach Sailing Club, former member Houston Yacht Club, former winter member Larchmont Yacht Club, former member St. Katherine's YC (London, England), former member New Orleans Rice and Cotton Exchange
Contact Gary at GaryF@Shop4Yachts.com.
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